an increase in the estate tax. in case those discussions break down, the president asked harry reid to prepare a separate bill to put on the floor of the senate that would raise taxes on households that earn $250,000 or more. now, that's really a democratic proposal and you could expect republicans to block it, so, rather than thinking of that as a stop gap measure, probably think of it as a political measure to shift the responsibility for failure on to republicans just before the nation hits the hour of wreckening. alison? >> thanks. >>> lawmakers could vote as early as today and when it happens, you can watch live coverage right here on cnn. >>> the president will continue to plead his case for a deal today. he's making his first appearance on a sunday talk show in more than three years. he'll be on nbc's "meet the press." he'll call for an immediately vote for congress on a scale-back plan that would only extend middle class tax breaks if the negotiations fail. >>> other news now, second degree murder as a hate